• Authority fails to act on Government Order to reclaim land
• Krishnaraja MLA T.S. Srivatsa writes to State Chief Secretary
• Waiting for Government direction, says MDA Commissioner

Mysore/Mysuru: The Mysuru Development Authority (MDA) seems to be showing no interest to follow the orders issued by the State Government with respect to protecting its properties worth crores of rupees.

Despite the State Government cancelling the proceedings and issuing orders to reclaim  the land worth around Rs. 1,000 crore, the MDA not following the Government Order (GO) has led to serious doubts on the Authority’s inaction.

A letter written by Krishnaraja (KR) MLA T.S. Srivatsa to Chief Secretary expressing concerns over MDA’s negligence in reclaiming 27.34-acre prime land in Survey Nos. 15, 27, 32, 38, 40 and 41 of Dattagalli village (located near Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Circle) worth around Rs. 1,000 crore has led to several doubts.

The MLA has questioned the authorities for failing to secure the public property even after filing a caveat before the High Court and requesting for fencing of the entire property.

Srivatsa has also expressed his concerns over MDA not acting despite having sufficient proofs regarding administrative lapses and also apathy despite the State Government’s order.

Further, MLA Srivatsa has alleged that issuing sale deeds for 48 sites related to Chamundeshwari Sarvodaya Sangha during 2023-24 has been in violation of the rules.

The sites have been developed in an unapproved layout and the registered sale deeds do not mention the original chakbandi (land consolidation). There are also no approved plans for the layout formed in the above mentioned survey numbers, either from the then Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA, currently MDA) or the State Government.

Another scam in  the making

Despite several lapses, it is shocking to know that former MUDA Commissioner G.T. Dinesh Kumar, who is currently under judicial custody for being involved in alleged illegal site scam, had issued sale deeds without any approvals.

Srivatsa has accused Dinesh Kumar of cheating the State Government of revenue amounting to crores of rupees by registering sites for a lesser value despite each site valued at Rs. 80 lakh each. With the uncovering of yet another scam, the case of issuing sale deeds to 48 sites has joined the list of scams reported in the then MUDA (now MDA).

Government Order neglected

The State Government had issued an order dated 30.11.2024 (GO No UDD 144 MYAP 2023) to cancel registration of the site documents. However, the MDA officials, till date have not initiated measures as per the orders. The officials, despite knowing the fact that any registered document can only be cancelled through an order by a Civil Court, have till date not filed a single petition before the Court which according to Srivatsa will lead to further complications to reclaim the land.

Srivatsa also expressed his apprehension over the land, worth around Rs. 1,000 crore, falling into the hands of land grabbers.

While there have been allegations over the alleged scam, sources said that Chamundeshwari Sarvodaya Sangha had been working in the backdoors to legalise the remaining sites.

Srivatsa has urged the State Government to initiate measures to stop the process of legalising the sites and to inform the officials about the Government’s decision cancelling MUDA decision dated 21.03.2023.

He has also urged the State Government to direct the officials to file a petition before the jurisdictional Civil Court for cancellation of registration of all 48 sites along with a warning not to allot remaining sites and land in Dattagalli Sy. Nos. 15, 27, 32, 38, 40 and 41.

In his letter to the Chief Secretary, Srivatsa has requested for an inquiry with regard to delay in initiating action into the case for the past 16 months.

Will the State Government act?

While the State Government changed the name of MUDA to MDA last year, there is no stopping for irregularities and illegalities. Srivatsa, who had spoke about official apathy during the Assembly Session, has also brought to the notice of State Government regarding officials neglect to safeguard property worth Rs. 1,000 crore in Dattagalli. Now, it has to be seen whether the State Government will act by initiating measures to safeguard its property.

Case background

On May 9, 1985, the then City Improvement Trust Board (CITB) had demolished houses constructed on the said land and had declared them as illegal citing the fact that the land had been bought through an unregistered sale deed by 136 persons from the land owners.

Following this, the site owners had moved the Court, questioning CITB’s action, of which the case continues even till date. Later, they also formed Chamundeshwari Sarvodaya Sangha and continued with their attempts to retain the sites. Meanwhile, on 21.03.2023, the then MUDA had sent a proposal to the State Government for approval of the sites by collecting the money towards cost of site as per the then site valuation.

On 8.4.2024, the State Government had issued a showcase notice to the MUDA Commissioner seeking an explanation. Following this, the MUDA Commissioner had submitted his explanation on 20th of the same month stating that the MUDA would not incur any loss of revenue. While, the rule clearly states that it is necessary to get the Government’s administrative approval after coming out with a development plan and by submitting the complete layout plan with approximate expenditure, no such rules had been followed in formation of the layout.

On examining the explanation submitted by the then MUDA Commissioner, it is clear that the rules were violated. Adding to this, MUDA not considering, the 1998 verdict of the Court that rejected the applications filed by State Government and Chamundeshwari Sarvodaya Sangha, under Rule 13(4) during its meeting on 21.03.2023 has been a clear violation of law. The State Government had also in its order dated 30.11.2023 had rejected the explanation submitted by the then MUDA Commissioner besides cancelling the decision taken by MUDA.

We are waiting for Govt. direction

A few of them have moved the High Court against the State Government’s order rejecting the then MUDA’s decision with respect to Chamundeshwari Sarvodaya Sangha of Dattagalli. Meanwhile, few others have also moved Court questioning the sale deed issued to 46 site owners. The High Court, in its order, had directed MUDA to either issue sale deed to everyone or to reject it stating that similar rule had to be applied for everyone. The Supreme Court had also upheld the High Court’s order.

Three months back, we had written a letter to the State Government seeking its direction with regard to the case. While, the decision of the authority has been cancelled, we have sought the Government’s direction with regard to cancellation of the sale deeds which has to be done through a Civil Court. Currently, we are ready with the draft and once we receive the directions from the State Govt., further action will be initiated. — K.R. Rakshith, MDA Commissioner

Protect public property

Protecting the public property should be given top priority to which the then MUDA was negligent. As the MLA of the Constituency, I have urged the present MDA Commissioner to initiate action to cancel the sale deeds issued to 48 sites in question. Any delay in action, would force us to believe that efforts are being made to safeguard the interest of ineligible beneficiaries.  —  T.S. Srivatsa, MLA, KR Assembly Constituency